Behind Closed doors

Chapter 4

In Lauren's small apartment, she kicked off her shoes and sighed heavily, the weight of the day finally taking its toll. Her cat, Mrs. Whiskers, sauntered over and rubbed against her legs, sensing her distress. She picked him up and held him close, his purring a comforting reminder of the life she had outside her job. As she moved around her apartment, the images of Kamala's eyes, her touch, and the taste of her lips played on an endless loop in her mind. She sighed " Damn it Lauren" .

Her phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, and she saw her best friend's name on the screen. "Hey, Tina," she answered, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Lauren, you're never going to believe what happened!" Tina's voice was filled with excitement. "You have to come out with me tonight, let off some steam."

Lauren hesitated, her thoughts a tangled mess of duty and desire. "I don't know," she began, but the desperation in Tina's voice was palpable.

"Please," Tina begged. "You work so hard, you need a night out."

"I don't know, I'm not really in the mood to go out. "

"Pleasee for me" Tina added.

With a sigh, Lauren gave in. "Okay," she said. "Text me the details."

"I'm sorry baby, I guess I need to leave you alone tonight" she addressed Mr Whiskers.

She arrived at the bar a few moments later, and it was bustling with life, the smell of beer and chatter filling the air. It was packed on a Friday night, the low hum of conversation blending with clinking glasses and laughter. Lauren sat across from Tina, her fingers wrapped around a cold glass of beer. Tina had just launched into a story about her office drama, her voice animated.

"...and there I am, watching them flirt over the copy machine like I don't exist," Tina said, rolling her eyes. "My boss, of all people! Can you believe that? Having an affair with Dave from marketing! Dave! The guy I've had a crush on for months! Like, why does life hate me?"

Lauren tried to focus on Tina's words, but her thoughts kept slipping away, drifting back to the President—the sharpness of her gaze, the way her voice lingered in her mind. She took a sip of her drink, hoping it would ground her.

"...so, obviously, I pretend to drop all the files I was holding just to see if they'd stop and help—spoiler, they didn't." Tina paused and then frowned. "What's with that face?"

"Huh?" Lauren blinked, caught off guard.

"If I didn't know you better, I'd say you're in love or something." Tina raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair with a smirk.

"What? Absolutely not." Lauren's voice wavered slightly, betraying her unease.

Tina narrowed her eyes, sensing something. "Uh-huh. That wasn't convincing at all. Come on, spill. Got a secret girlfriend or something?"

Lauren shifted in her seat, feeling the weight of Tina's gaze. "No, I don't—well, it's not like that."

Tina leaned forward, intrigued now. "So, there *is* someone? Who is it? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Lauren let out a nervous laugh, trying to play it off. "There's no one. Really."

"Lauren, please, you're the worst liar. I can practically see the gears turning in your head." Tina's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You know you can trust me. I promise I won't judge. So, what's going on?"

Lauren hesitated, her mind swirling with thoughts she hadn't even sorted out herself. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated how?"